Expansion

LA Kings assistant coach Dave Lowry is a popular figure in Florida Panthers lore largely because of his 10 goals in 22 games during the third-year expansion team’s Cinderella run to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final and his leadership in the lead-up to what still serves as the organization's zenith.
The... Read More

Should the National Hockey League decide to alter its 31-team footprint, there are a pair of American cities with well supported arguments towards being included in relocation or expansion.
One of those cities is Seattle. The Emerald City has always been an enticing option for the NHL, but the la... Read More

Brayden McNabb took a phone call Tuesday night that for most players will never come. He had been selected in an expansion draft by the Vegas Golden Knights, the NHL's 31st team.
"Rob Blake called me, and then George called me and asked me if I could come, and obviously I was more than willing ... Read More

Expansion protection lists, which were due into the league yesterday, have been revealed. As has been projected, the Kings elected to protect eight skaters and one goaltender. Those players were Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Tanner Pearson, Tyler Toffoli, Drew Doughty, Alec Martinez, Jake Muzzin, Derek... Read More

Since the June 22 announcement that the NHL will be expanding to Las Vegas for the 2017-18 season, there have been questions in the comments section about particular players and whether they are eligible to be selected in the expansion draft. Through the help of General Fanager, which is a terrific ... Read More

The National Hockey League is expanding to Las Vegas, Commissioner Gary Bettman and new owner Bill Foley announced at a press conference at the Encore Las Vegas on Wednesday. This is major news across the professional sports landscape as the NHL becomes the first professional league to establish its... Read More

The Kings have announced ticketing details for Frozen Fury XVIII, the annual pre-season exhibition-slash-party that will be held this fall at the brand new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on October 7 and 8 against the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche. Ticket packages, including seats for the first m... Read More

It's a bit of a slow Friday in El Segundo as hockey operations concludes a week of extensive meetings covering areas related to scouting, development, coaching and personnel. I'm hoping to have some updates for you as we transition into next week and towards the NHL Draft.
In the meantime, a pai... Read More

As first reported by Chris Johnston of Sportsnet yesterday, the NHL's executive committee met Tuesday in New York to make a recommendation on league expansion, with the full Board of Governors expected to vote on (and theoretically approve) the recommendation with a two-thirds vote later this month ... Read More

Good morning, Insiders. Thanks for the patience and understanding during a slow period on the site as Baby Stuff segued into a long weekend with family and now towards a shorter work week. Regular coverage is set to continue.
SO, WHERE WERE WE? There was some great channel flippin' between the ho... Read More

Several General Managers Meeting bits that I had been meaning to share this week:
-An early salary cap ceiling projection of $74-million was shared with the league's general managers. As noted, that's still on the higher end of potential caps and is based on the NHLPA agreeing to opt for the annu... Read More

The NHL announced that it sent expansion applications to 16 parties, and that two were returned in advance of yesterday's deadline: one from Bill Foley for a Las Vegas team that would play at the jointly operated AEG/MGM Grand Arena on the Las Vegas Strip, and one from Quebecor for a franchise that ... Read More

A quick note before I head into several meetings and appointments on what may be a slower-than-usual Thursday:
The NHL is on the verge of opening up its expansion process. The expected fee for an expansion team is $500 million - one of the factors why the NHL appears so hesitant to relocate any c... Read More

#11 | 6′ 3″ | 224 lb | Age: 29

Bio

As the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Kopitar became the first Slovenian to play in the NHL. Kopitar has spent his entire NHL career with the Kings, and following the 2015–16 season, was named the Kings’ captain. Noted for both his offensive and defensive play, Kopitar was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL in 2016.

#8 | 6′ 1″ | 195 lb | Age: 26

Bio

Bio: Doughty is a Canadian defenceman who was selected second overall by the Kings in the 2008 Draft. Doughty made his NHL debut in 2008 as an 18-year-old and was named to the All-Rookie Team. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Kings, a two-time Olympic gold medallist with the Canadian national team, and a Norris Trophy finalist.

#77 | 6′ 4″ | 215 lb | Age: 31

Bio

Carter began his hockey career playing in the Ontario Hockey League in Canada before joining the AHL and playing for the Philadelphia Flyers. He was then traded to the Colombus Blue jackets before joining the LA Kings in 2012, where he has since won two Stanley Cups with the Kings.

#32 | 6′ 1″ | 218 lb | Age: 30

Bio

Bio: Quick is the current goaltender for the LA Kings and was selected by Los Angeles at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Previously, Quick was a silver medalist with USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He’s won two Stanley Cup championships with the Kings, along with being the most recent goaltender to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs.